Our Mission
Hunters Point Library and Environmental Education Center (HPEEC) offers unique opportunities to discover and experience Long Island City’s distinctive watershed and East River habitats. Through a diverse range of educational and cultural programs and resources, our center emphasizes the interconnectedness of humans, the built environment, and the natural world.
Ongoing Programs
Science Everywhere: This weekly series of science and nature programs for school-age children has been a cornerstone of our children's programming. It features a storytime, science presentation or demonstration, and a hands-on activity. In some cases, we invite non-profit organization and outside presenters to host environmental related lessons.
STEAM Friday for Teens: We offer an open environment to test and explore gadgets like 3D pens, the Sphero Bolt and RVR+, Virtual Reality, and more!
Visit our calendar to browse upcoming programs.
Hunters Point: An Eco-Story
Hunters Point Library and Environmental Education Center's hybrid virtual exhibit, Hunters Point: An Eco-Story consists of eight environmental themes that focus on exploring the unique watershed and East River habitats of Long Island City, New York. You can learn about each theme by clicking the links below.
This hybrid exhibit also accompanies physical signage at the Hunters Point Library and Environmental Education Center with additional resources, collection materials, and information.
- Maritime Uses in New York City: An Evolving Story
- Marine Wildlife: What Lives in Our Local Waterways?
- New York City's Tidal Ecosystem: What is the Harbor Estuary?
- The Forces that Shaped the Harbor: New York City Geology
- Investing for the Future of a Healthier Harbor
- Water Quality: Keeping the Harbor Clean
- Local Industry and its Relationship to the Waterways
- New York City Before Colonization: Local Indigenous History
Additional Resources at HPEEC
Environmental Go-Bags: HPEEC offers environmental go-bags for customers to borrow. These bags, which cover four topics: birds, leaves, rocks, and insects, are filled with scientific equipment, lesson plans, and hands-on activities that parents, caregivers, or educators can borrow! For more information or inquiries, please call us at (718) 707-9944.
Air Quality Monitor: From our lobby, you can check out the air quality of our neighborhood. Ask a staff member to be directed to our PurpleAir air quality sensor and scan the QR code to learn more.
Seed Library: Just like books, you can check out packets of seeds from HPEEC. You can plant, grow, and harvest the seeds. Any leftover seeds, or new seeds harvested at the end of the growing season, may be brought back to the library.
Discovery Day: Discovery Day is an annual celebration that takes place on the lawns of HPEEC. The day includes environmental-based activities by exploring the natural wonders of our neighborhood with naturalists, science pop-ups, and other engaging activities for children and adults of all ages.
HPEEC Staff Recommendations
Adult Nonfiction
- 1,001 Voices on Climate Change: Everyday Stories of Flood, Fire, Drought, and Displacement from Around the World
-
The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History
Also available in eBook - The World Without Us
- All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis
Adult Fiction
-
The Ministry for the Future: A Novel
Also available in eBook and Audiobook - The Water Knife
Also available in eBook - The Overstory: A Novel
- The New Wilderness: A Novel
Young Adult
Multimedia
Hunters Point Library and Environmental Education Center was created with funding support from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, through the establishment of the Newtown Creek Environmental Benefit Fund, administered by the City Parks Foundation.
